Jackie Robinson through the years

Jackie Robinson safely steals home under the tag of Yankees catcher Yogi Berra in the eighth inning of the 1955 World Series opener at Yankee Stadium. The Dodgers would win the championship in seven games, the first in franchise history and only title for Brooklyn.

Jackie Robinson safely steals home under the tag of Yankees catcher Yogi Berra in the eighth inning of the 1955 World Series opener at Yankee Stadium. The Dodgers would win the championship in seven games, the first in franchise history and only title for Brooklyn. (John Rooney / Associated Press)

No. 1 on any list of most important and admired Southland athletes is Jackie Robinson -- but he was cool too. The Pasadena star went on to play football, basketball and baseball at UCLA as well as compete on the track team.

No. 1 on any list of most important and admired Southland athletes is Jackie Robinson -- but he was cool too. The Pasadena star went on to play football, basketball and baseball at UCLA as well as compete on the track team. (Associated Press)

Distinguished gentlemen Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey, the Dodgers executive who gave him a contract and wanted him in the majors, embrace in 1962, the year Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Distinguished gentlemen Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey, the Dodgers executive who gave him a contract and wanted him in the majors, embrace in 1962, the year Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. (Associated Press)

A look at multiple-sport athlete Jackie Robinson from his playing days at Muir High in Pasadena, to his glory days at UCLA to the breaking of the color barrier in Major League Baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers.